New to Buddhism. About 5 weeks new.I've got a Theravada monastery that I go to about twenty minutes away. So that's pretty convenient.

I don't really have much to say about myself since I have some trouble identifying who I really am. Much fluctuation exists in my choices and personality.Not really sure what to do with my life and what direction it's heading in.I guess I can't really have a direction until I set one.But the love of my life lives with her ex-fiancé and has two kids with him.Neither of us have the money to get an apartment.Besides, it's probably better if I remain living with my parents because I'm broke and I have college dues from dropping out and the rent is cheap.But I don't really care about money. In fact, I don't really care about much of anything.I'm just a paper bag being dragged by the wind.With all the nihilism, I'm considering doing some research on Mahayana because they have some nihilistic schools that interest me.But I'm not sure if the Mahayana are right in pondering the subject, because the Buddha told us not to.But he also said that we can question him and argue with his principles, so I guess you can really do whatever you want within reason. But I'm not a scholar, so disregard my foolishness if you wish.

I joined Buddhism, not only because it makes sense, both ethically and spiritually, but because I'm hoping it will end up with me having a more positive attitude.You see, I'm bipolar. And I recently lost a job because I threatened to kill myself because of something my boss said to me. So yeah I'm pretty much a mess and I'm hoping that Buddhism will benefit me in many ways.

Yeah, so I write poetry.I'm a man of little words most of the time unless I'm in a really small group of people; introvert, they call 'em.But when I write poetry, I usually have plenty to say.Follow me on Tumblr @ [url]thedukeanthology@tumblr.com[/url]!You don't have to have a Tumblr account to view my poetry, just click on the link.I would appreciate some follows, though, if you do have an account.

Thanks, guys. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you.

"There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting."

"When we transcend one level of truth, the new level becomes what is true for us. The previous one is now false. What one experiences may not be what is experienced by the world in general, but that may well be truer. (Ven. Nanananda)

“I hope, Anuruddha, that you are all living in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes.” (MN 31)

MichaelThe thoughts I've expressed in the above post are carefully considered and offered in good faith.

And friendliness towards the world is happiness for him who is forbearing with living beings. -- Ud. 2:1To his own ruin the fool gains knowledge, for it cleaves his head and destroys his innate goodness. -- Dhp 72

---The trouble is that you think you have time------Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe------It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---

The heart of the path is SO simple. No need for long explanations. Give up clinging to love and hate, just rest with things as they are. That is all I do in my own practice. Do not try to become anything. Do not make yourself into anything. Do not be a meditator. Do not become enlightened. When you sit, let it be. When you walk, let it be. Grasp at nothing. Resist nothing. Of course, there are dozens of meditation techniques to develop samadhi and many kinds of vipassana. But it all comes back to this - just let it all be. Step over here where it is cool, out of the battle. - Ajahn Chah